(Berkshires, MA) Nov 2, 2012 – Moscow Ballet debuts principal dancers in the 20th Anniversary performances of the Great Russian Nutcracker on the West Tour. Moscow Ballet premieres International Ballet Competition (IBC) medalist Karyna Shatkovskaya as Masha (aka Clara) and Vladimir Tkachenko, honor graduate of the Perm School, as the Nutcracker Prince, in addition to the 40 dancer-strong corps de ballet. Moscow Ballet’s beloved Christmas story receives critical acclaim; “Spectacular” says Jennifer Godwin Arkansas Democrat Gazette…“Sparkly tableau of sinuous intertwinings and palpable chemistry” from Tresca Weinstein Albany Times Union and “Steeped in Russian flavor” from Tammy Gorce New York Times. 2012 promises even more recognition for the highly trained principals and corps. In addition to the highly trained dancers, the performance treats the eye with 200 all new costumes, a 5 story tall growing Christmas tree, falling snow, cheery 10 foot tall silk puppets, appearances by Russian folk legends Father Christmas and the Snow Maiden and more. 2012 tour list with cities and dates is below. For more information and tickets go to www.nutcracker.com .

Karyna Shatkovskaya is a multiple award-winning soloist debuting on the western leg of Moscow Ballet’s 20th Anniversary Tour . In 2009 she was recognized with an award in the prestigious Second International Ballet Competition (IBC) in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan and in 2010 became the State Prize Winner. At the age of 9 she received her first award at the Kharkov Ballet Competition and 2 years later she received a Diploma of Ukrainian Youth Ballet, sanctioned by UNESCO. She received a Diploma of the First International Children and Youth Classical Dance Competition in Yalta, and 3rd prize of the Second International Competition of Youth in Yalta. In 2000 she won 2nd prize and received an award at the Third International Children and Youth Classical Dance Competition. Karyna was born in 1984 in Kharkov, Ukraine and in 2000 graduated from the Kharkov State Choreographic School. Two years later she graduated from the International Slavic University and was invited join the Kharkov Opera and Ballet Theater Company. In 2004, she graduated from the Kharkov School of Culture, in the class of Silvestrov, and in 2006 she graduated from the higher level Kharkov Academy of Culture with a degree in Classical Choreography. She continued her studies under the direction of People's Artist of Ukraine S. Kolyvanova and with Honored Artist of USSR M. Bezzubikovym and Honored Artist of Russia I. Surnevoy. Karyna debuted as a soloist in September 2002 dancing the role of Maria in the Odessa National Opera and Ballet’s Nutcracker. Her repertoire includes the lead roles in ballet’s most coveted performances: Coppelia, Cinderella,Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Don Quixote and more. Other repertoire includes: La Bayadere, A Thousand and One Nights, Les Sylphides, Paquita,Halt the Cavalry, Spectre de la Rose, Giselle, Swan Lake,Petrushka and Gounod's Faust.

Vladimir Tkachenko was born in 1987 in Kharkov, Ukraine. In 2006 he graduated with honors from the prestigious Perm Choreographic School, in the class of V. Alikina. Upon graduation he was he was offered a position at the State Kremlin Ballet of Moscow and made his professional debut in that September in La Esmeralda as the Hunchback Quasimodo. Two years later Vladimir was invited to become a soloist in the Kharkov National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet rehearsing under the direction of People's Artist of Ukraine S. Kolyvanova and Honored Artist of the USSR M. Bezzubikovym. There he dances the principal role in Nutcracker, Coppelia, Cinderella, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and A Thousand and One Nights. He has been a Guest Soloist of the Imperial Ballet under the direction of Taranda, and of the Russian International Ballet under the direction of Honored Artist of Russia Igor Surnevoy. He has toured to almost all continents of the world with these companies including Europe, Asia, Africa, and North and South America. 2011 is his debut appearance with Moscow Ballet as the Prince in the Great Russian Nutcracker.

20 years of touring features acclaimed and award-winning Russian ballerinasand danseurs from choreographer, balletmaster and former Bolshoi soloist Stanislov Vlasov and partner Lilia Sabitova, People’s Artist of Russia, in 1993; to former Bolshoi Ballet dancer Marina Alexandrova and Vitaly Zabelin in 1996; IBC Gold Medalists Dmitri Dmitriev and Anna Dorosh in 1997; danseur, Perm graduate and upstart choreographer Anatolie Emelianov and Honored Artist of Russia Tatiana Predenia in 2002; Varna IBC Gold Medalists Cristina and Alexei Terentiev in 2009; acclaimed by the press Alexandra Elagina and Anatolie Ustimov. Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker continues to present the best in ballet and Russian culture for audiences in cities large and small in 48 states. For 20 years ballet novices and aficionados; family members from the youngest to the most senior; and from New York to California and Syracuse to San Antonio have returned again and again to see 40 striking Russian dancers bring the holiday classic to life.

Akiva Talmi Presents Inc. (ATP) is the exclusive North American representation for Moscow Ballet which tours annually to sixty+ cities across the US and Canada. ATP was founded by award-winning Juilliard alumnus, composer, conductor and theatrical producer, Akiva Talmi. ATP produced the “Cynthia Gregory Celebration Tour” with Nancy Reagan as Honorary Chair; “From the Top” PBS TV special featuring NYCB’s Violette Verdy and Itzhak Perlman, “Alexander Godunov” national tour and more. www.akivatalmipresents.com .